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1500 questions
15
votes
10 answers
How to politely tell my roommates that I don't want to spend time with them?
Background Information:
Basically, I don't have enough time. It's an annoying problem that I guess most people share, but it still bothers me. I have so many things I want to do (books to read, stories to write, pictures to draw, games to play,…
Mark
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15
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6 answers
How can I ask reading people in public transport for the title of their book?
I travel with public transportation quite a bit, and I read a lot while commuting too. While I don't mind being asked what book I'm reading, other people might. I'm always on the lookout for new authors, but I know that
some people might not want…
aschultz
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15
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6 answers
Anxious during conference calls
I am a middle-aged software engineer at a largish law firm. As a part of my job and at least on a weekly basis I participate in conference calls featuring three or more people made up of co-workers and often times vendors too.
I previously worked 18…
Steve
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15
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4 answers
How can I talk with my older cousin about his sexuality?
I came out for my family about 6 months ago. I was 23 at the time, and everyone was shocked.
They have a very limited mind about those things: asking me if I'll be dressing like a girl, if I want to get AIDS, etc.
I lived with my aunt, grandmother,…
fuy_
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15
votes
3 answers
How to politely say, "I know, right?"
When chatting in Social Media or Stack Exchange chat rooms, I often see other users give some information which I already know. How should I reply?
Some people use "I know, right?" or "ikr" in internet slang. However, that sounds a bit harsh.…
Nog Shine
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15
votes
2 answers
How to detect and counteract gaslighting
Gaslighting is one of those things that becomes a logical trap for both the abused (they can look deluded, without physical evidence, which can lead to further manipulation) and also for a falsely-accused abuser (“I’m not gaslighting you!” is…
TheProseMix
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15
votes
4 answers
How to ask my housemate to take better care of his pets?
We have three kittens (around 16 weeks old) and a bearded dragon in our household. The kittens are well fed and looked after because I look after all three of them. I have no qualms with that at all. They're little dudes.
The problem lies with the…
Bradley Wilson
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15
votes
1 answer
How to politely deny service in barbershop from specific barber?
I'm really having hard time here. There are three barbers working there and there is no reservation possible. People go inside without an appointment.
One of the barbers is really skilful however the other two always end up giving me very bad…
user20269
15
votes
2 answers
How does one show respect when others pray?
If one is invited to a friend's or colleague's home for a meal, and they stop to pray before eating, it is generally accepted that as a guest you show a quiet respect to their action, even if not taking part (whether if it is of your own beliefs or…
r m
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15
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3 answers
How do I determine my boss's position on transgender rights?
I am a transwoman. I am in the closet. I am starting to transition so staying in the closet long-term isn't an option. Before I come out of the closet I would like to gauge how I think people are going to react to the news. Tailoring how I broach…
Summer
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15
votes
3 answers
How do I approach telling guests not to overstay their welcome?
I had a game night last night and two of my sister's friends came and played, one is male and 20, call him B, and the other is a female ~18 years old, call her L.
When my husband was finishing his long game (magic the gathering card game), B and L…
ElizB
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15
votes
4 answers
How can I again be on friendly terms with a girl I have a crush on since she's avoiding me after I gave her a small gift?
I've met a girl in my department at university, and although I wasn't initially interested in her, she would often laugh at my dumbest jokes and flash me unwarranted smiles, so I thought perhaps she might be interested in me. We traveled to a…
Kristoll
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15
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2 answers
How can I let my male friends know how much they mean to me?
I (male in my mid-20s) recently found a girlfriend and another really close female friend, which I highly value in my life. I found that I can openly share my feelings with both of them, and after doing so I realised I never talk about such things…
Suimon
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15
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7 answers
How do I deal with the problem of people who aren't listening to what I'm actually saying?
The problem
I've spent many years gauging my interactions with other people, and a commonly reoccurring theme is the other person already has presumed what I'm saying or going to say, or has drawn up some imaginary alternate scenario that doesn't…
SE Does Not Like Dissent
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15
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1 answer
How to tell a user at the gym that it's not OK to use one machine and “reserve” another one?
The following situation has happened to me several times:
A user in the gym is using some machine or equipment (a bench, a row machine, a bar, etc.). When I'm going to use another machine or equipment that it's apparently free, this user comes…
yet_another_programmer
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